North Kansas City Hospital Board of Trustees Chair, Michael Montgomery, MD, today announced the retirement of David Carpenter, president and CEO. “At the May 21st Board meeting, David discussed with us his plans to retire and relocate to Arizona to spend more time with his wife, Michelle, who has had significant health issues,” Dr. Montgomery said. “The Board spent the last month considering several options and last night agreed to a succession plan that would allow for an orderly transition.

“The Board also announces the selection of Peggy Schmitt, the hospital’s vice president & general counsel as the incoming president and CEO of North Kansas City Hospital,” Dr. Montgomery said. “Peggy has worked closely with David on the hospital’s major issues over the last 14 years and was his recommendation to provide a smooth transition.” Schmitt will assume the role of president & CEO on July 21st. Carpenter will continue his employment with the hospital as an advisor to the Board of Trustees and Schmitt for the remainder of the year.

“David has left a rich legacy with North Kansas City Hospital,” Dr. Montgomery said. “In addition to the growth North Kansas City Hospital has experienced under his leadership, David also focused his energies on changing the hospital’s culture to be more patient- and quality-focused. That’s a great legacy to leave any organization.”

Carpenter has been the hospital’s president and CEO since his arrival in 1999. Prior to that, Carpenter served as administrator for Scottsdale Healthcare and was president and CEO of Hadley Regional Medical Center in Hays, KS. He uniquely has served as Chairman of the Board of the Kansas Hospital Association and of the Missouri Hospital Association. He has received numerous awards including being named Northlander of the Year by the Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce and recipient of the Missouri Hospital Association Visionary Leadership Award.

“We have accomplished a great deal in the past 14 years,” said David Carpenter. “We have continuously improved quality because we have focused on employee and patient satisfaction. By being diligent in creating a great work environment for our employees, we have created a great patient experience,” Carpenter said.

“I did not come to this decision easily. I have thoroughly enjoyed my 14 years as CEO of North Kansas City Hospital. But I am also at a point in my life where I want to spend more time with my wife Michelle. She has had a number of significant health issues but is doing much better since she has been at our home in Carefree, AZ, since January. I have not been able to spend much time with her and we look forward to our retirement and being there together,” said Carpenter.

Peggy Schmitt has served as North Kansas City Hospital’s vice president and General Counsel for the past 19 years. She holds a law degree from Yale Law School and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Missouri. Prior to coming to the hospital, Schmitt was an associate at the law firm of Spencer Fane Britt & Browne.

“I am honored by the confidence the Board and David have shown in me,” Schmitt said. “For nearly two decades, I have been a part of a great team of people who have been focused on making North Kansas City Hospital the excellent hospital that it is. I am excited about the opportunity to help lead our team in writing the next chapter of success for the Hospital.”